Identifying roles: How each Raiders draft pick fits in long run

Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie has executed the draft process to near perfection for several seasons now, perfectly melding his “best player available” approach along with his skills at recognizing roster needs.

As such, here’s a look at how Oakland’s 2017 draft class fits into the team’s scheme this season.

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No. 1, Round 1, No. 24 overall, Gareon Conley, CB

Former Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley was brought in to be Oakland’s new shutdown cornerback in the long-term, however, with veteran cornerbacks David Amerson and Sean Smith still on the roster — Conley can be groomed as a nickel and No. 3 defensive back.

Depending on how successful Smith and Amerson is, fans shouldn’t be surprised to see Conley line up out wide against teams that have speedy outside receivers sooner, rather than later.

Conley possesses the quickness, top-end speed, awareness and ball skills that can see him utilized anywhere from guarding the slot and tight ends, or simply lining up against the opposing team’s best receiver.